Revised 8/2016

FIRE DEPARTMENT ● CITY OF NEW YORK

STUDY MATERIAL FOR THE CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS EXAMINATION FOR

EXPLOSIVES LOADER (E-17)

© 2008 New York City Fire Department - All rights reserved E-17 Study Material.doc ® 042104

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NOTICE OF EXAMINATION

TITLE: Examination for the Certificate of Fitness for Explosive Loader (E-17)

Applicants must make an appointment with the Explosive Unit at 718-999-1595 prior to arriving at 9

Metrotech, Brooklyn.

To qualify and make an appointment: paperwork must be submitted in advance to Explosives Unit: Explounit@fdny.nyc.gov

DATE OF TEST: By appointment only Monday through Friday (except legal holidays) 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

REQUIREMENTS FOR WRITTEN EXAM Applicants who need to take the exam must apply in person and bring the following documents:

1. Applicants must have a reasonable understanding of the English language. 2. Applicant must provide two forms of identifications; at least one form of identification must be

government issued photo identification, such as a State-issued Drivers’ License or Non Driver’s License or a passport.

3. Applicants must present a letter of recommendation from a union and/or employer acceptable to the FDNY Explosives Unit. The letter must be on official letterhead, and must state the applicant’s full name, experience and the address where the applicant will work. If the applicants are self-employed or the principal of the company, they must submit a notarized letter attesting to their qualifications. For more info: • Sample of recommendation letter: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-samplerec-letter.pdf • Sample of self-employed letter: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-sample-selfrec-letter.pdf

4. Applicants must present a completed application for certificate of fitness (A-20 Form). http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-application-form.pdf

5. 2 Passport Size photos 6. Fingerprinting Fee: $89.75 (Money Order) 7. Resume detailing experience 8. Copies of any Explosives related licenses, training courses/certificates or other Certificate of Fitness

from NYC or alternate jurisdictions. 9. Special requirement for the E-17:

a. US Citizen b. Must be 18 years of age

APPLICATION FEE:

Pay the $25 application fee in person by one of the following methods: • Cash • Credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa) • Debit card (MasterCard or Visa) • Personal or company check or money order (made payable to the New York City Fire Department)

A convenience fee of 2.49% will be applied to all credit card payments.

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EXAM INFORMATION

The E-17 test will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions, administered on a “touch screen” computer monitor. It is a time-limit test. Based on the amount of the questions, you will have 30 minutes to complete the test. A passing score of at least 70% is required in order to secure a Certificate of Fitness. For additional information and forms, please call 718-999-1595.

Special Note: Exam will also consist of a series of verbal questions. Call (718) 999-1988 for additional information and forms.

Please always check for the latest revised booklet at FDNY website before you take the exam. http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-e17-noe- study-guide.pdf If all the requirements are meet and pass the exam a certificate will be issued the same day. Applicant who fails the exam will receive a failure report. To retake the exam applicants will need to submit a new application and payment.

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS All renewals must go through the Explosives Unit in order to verify criminal background. Please note that in person renewals are not recommended. Call the Explosives Unit for more information. E-17 Certificates of Fitness are valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance. At the end of this period, the certificate expires unless the commissioner approves its renewal. Please be advised that certificate renewals shall be at the discretion of the commissioner in the interest of public safety. The department may review the certificate holder’s qualifications and fitness. E-17 holders must ensure that their original Certificate of Fitness card is available for inspection at all times by the FDNY. The renewal fee is $5. FDNY also reserves the right to require the applicants to take a re-examination upon submission of renewal applications. Certificate of Fitness can be revoked at any time. You may receive a courtesy notice of renewal 90 days before the expiration date. However, it is your responsibility to renew your Certificate. It is very important to renew your C of F before it expires. Renewals submitted 90 days (up to one year) after the expiration date will incur a $25 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. Certificates expired over one year past expiration date will not be renewed a new exams will be required. To change a mailing address: Submit a letter requesting the change of mailing address and a copy of your C of F and a $5.00 fee. To change a work location, Submit a letter from your current employer (on company letterhead) confirming that you are an employee and stating your new work location with a copy of your C of F and a $5.00 fee. To request a replacement certificate: Submit a driver’s license or passport, social security number and mailing address and a $5.00 fee.

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The certificate can be renewed On-line or Mail. • Renewal online If you are an individual, make sure you have your 12 digit Certificate of Fitness Access ID. This can be found on your Renewal Notice. If you do not have your Renewal Notice, your Access ID is your 8 digit Certificate of Fitness number and the last four digits of your social security number. If you are submitting renewals on behalf of a company's employees, the company must be approved by FDNY and have an 8 digit Company Code. To request approval, email pubrenew@fdny.nyc.gov. Renewal fee can be paid by one of the following methods:

• Credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa) • Debit card (MasterCard or Visa) • E-check

If all the requirements are met, the certificate of fitness will be mailed out within 10 days. For online renewal go to: https://a836-citypay.nyc.gov/citypay/FDNYCOF • Renewal by mail Mail your Renewal Notice (or if you did not receive a Renewal Notice, a copy of your certificate), along with your fee payment, Personal or company check or money order (made payable to the New York City Fire Department)

NYC Fire Department (FDNY) Cashier's Unit 9 MetroTech Center, 1st Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201

If all the requirements are met, the certificate of fitness will be mailed out within four to six weeks.

FDNY Explosives Unit reserves the right to require applicants to take a re-examination upon submission of renewal applications.

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EXAM SITE: FDNY Headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY. Enter through the Flatbush Avenue entrance (between Myrtle Avenue and Tech Place).

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This study material will help you prepare for the written examination for the Certificates of Fitness for Explosives Loader (E-17). This study material includes information taken from the Fire Prevention Code, Rules of the City of New York and the Blaster’s Guidelines. The study material does not contain all of the information you need to know in order to work safely when storing, handling, or using explosives. It is your responsibility to become familiar with all applicable rules and regulations of the City of New York, even if they are not covered in this material. You must pass a multiple choice test to qualify for the Certificate of Fitness. A passing score of 70% is required in the multiple choice test. All questions on the multiple choice test have four alternative answers. Only one answer is correct for each question. If you do not answer a question your answer will be scored as incorrect. Read each question carefully before marking your answer. You can always come back to "REVIEW" your answers. There is no penalty for guessing on the multiple choice test.

Sample Questions 1. All explosives and blasting caps must be stored in: (A) the blaster's truck. (B) a magazine. (C) the site supervisor's shed. (D) underground vaults. The correct answer is "B". You would tap alternative "B" on your answer computer screen. 2. The word "EXPLOSIVES" painted on the rear of a truck carrying explosives must be painted in which color? (A) Black. (B) Red. (C) Green. (D) White. The correct answer is "D". You would tap alternative "D" on your answer computer screen.

STORAGE, HANDLING AND USE OF EXPLOSIVES

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The key to preventing blasting accidents is to follow proper blasting procedures. Safe blasting practices must be followed at all times, from the moment explosives are delivered to the magazine to the inspection made after the last blast. There are several kinds of persons who work with explosives. Each one should know and understand what they are permitted to do. A person working with explosives should never attempt something that they have not been trained to do. Every person who works with explosives in N.Y.C. must have an F.D.N.Y. Certificate of Fitness ( license ). Following is a list of explosives Certificates of Fitness. A person may only perform work with explosives that their level of license allows. The Blaster is the most highly qualified person at the blasting site, having total responsibility for the use of explosives, record keeping and safety of both workers and the public. The Blaster lays out all shots, supervises explosives loading and setting off the shots. Only the Blaster may give permission to fire a blast. The Powder Carrier is essentially an apprentice Blaster, assisting the Blaster with loading: ( preparing primer cartridges and charges, wiring / hookup, setting off the shots ) and paperwork, such as recording quantities of explosives used and shot times. Explosives loaders help the Blaster and Powder Carrier in transporting explosives to and from the magazines and handling explosives during loading operations. The Magazine Keeper accepts delivery of explosives at the work site and keeps records as they are received and returned to the magazines or the vendor. The Magazine Keeper is responsible for the safe keeping of explosives in the magazines. They are not permitted to do any other work with explosives.

Explosives Handlers are the drivers of the trucks used to deliver explosives to the blast site. Explosives handlers are responsible for the safe transport and handling of explosive materials and record keeping pertaining to pick-ups and deliveries. They are not permitted to do any other work with explosives.

Storage All explosives must be stored in magazines specially made for that purpose. A magazine must be approved and have a permit to store explosives. Magazines must be under the direct supervision of a magazine keeper holding a Certificate of Fitness. Magazines must be kept locked when explosives or blasting caps are inside. Only the Blaster, Powder Carrier and Magazine Keeper may have keys to the Magazines. The New York City Fire Dept. requires that accurate records of all explosives taken from , used and returned to the magazines must be kept. These records are kept inside the magazine and must be surrendered to a duly authorized Fire Dept. representative. Both the inside of the magazines and the area surrounding them for 25 feet must be kept clean. Dead Grass, Shrubbery, empty cartons and

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other combustible materials pose a dangerous fire hazard. Smoking, open flames, matches, lighters etc., are prohibited inside or within 100 feet of a storage magazine. Persons should not be permitted to loiter in the area of the magazines. Only the amount of explosives estimated for use in the next blast being loaded should be removed from the magazines. Any explosives that are not used for the blast must be returned to the magazines as soon as possible. Explosives taken out or returned, should be carried in their original containers or special carrying boxes constructed of wood with rope hinged covers. Blasting Procedures Explosives at a work site must be under the constant supervision of a Certificate of Fitness holder at all times. Explosives are never to be left unattended at any time. Due to the obvious hazards of explosives, no smoking is permitted under any circumstances whenever handling or working with explosives. There are no exceptions. When loading explosives, a New York City Fire Department certified Blaster must be present. On a blasting job, the Blaster has total responsibility for safety, ensuring that the powder crew perform only those duties for which they are licensed and that they follow safe procedures at all times. Only authorized persons needed to perform the loading operation should be allowed at the blast site. No part of a loaders body should be placed over the borehole while loading, to prevent injury in the event of a premature detonation. All Detonators ( Caps ) are sensitive and should be protected from accidental initiation by heat or impact. Electric caps are also sensitive to stray electricity from radios, cellphones, high voltage power lines, subway electrified rails and electrical storms. When an electrical storm approaches, blasting operations should be suspended and not begin again until the storm has completely left the area. On an electric blasting cap, the shunt covering the bare wires must be left on until hookup. The shunt acts as a safety device preventing electric current from detonating the cap. To make a primer ( a cartridge containing the blasting cap ), a hole must be punched that is deeper than the length of the cap when inserted into the cartridge. The primer sets off the rest of the cartridges in the borehole. Primers are made up on an as needed basis. Do not make up primers before loading operations begin due to safety reasons. The primer is generally loaded into the hole first, followed by the other sticks of powder. Never tamp the primer with the loading pole. The other sticks of powder should be tamped only with a wooden or plastic loading pole. They should be pressed or set into place only with a steady even pressure. Stemming material is then placed in the hole to confine the charges. Stemming material should be relatively clean and free flowing. Large rocks or any combustible materials should not be used for stemming. Sand, crushed stone and tamping bags are usually used. When loading has been finished, all excess explosives must be removed from the blast area and returned to the magazines before hooking up the shot The wiring / tying in of the shot should be under the control of the Blaster. Only those persons required to complete the tying in of the holes and shot should remain in the blasting area. Before a blast, the Blaster should position workers with red flags at every approach to the blast site to warn people and keep unauthorized persons away. They may also halt traffic and pedestrians (walkers) close to the job site if it is done in an urban area. A shot should be fired as soon as possible after loading is completed. An audible whistle warning signal must be given before each shot is fired. The following signals are used.

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One Long whistle Preparing to blast Two Short whistles Ready to blast Three Short whistles All clear The whistle warning system should be familiar to all personnel working in or near the blasting area. The warning system should be posted where it can be easily seen. Signs reading "DANGER - Blasting Area -No Radio Transmitting" should also be posted in the area surrounding the job site. After a blast, workers should not return to the work area until all smoke, fumes and dust have cleared. In tunnel and subway work, the waiting time is sometimes referred to as " smoke time ". The amount of time allowed is usually 20 minutes. This allows the air to safely clear. Upon returning to the blasting area, special attention should be given to any evidence of misfires, unexploded or burning explosive materials. If any of these situations are observed, all personnel should stay out of the area until it is safe to return as determined by the Blaster. A misfire is the failure of an explosive charge to detonate at the proper time. By following proper procedures and practices, misfires can be prevented in the first place. Any suspected unfired explosives or detonators should be treated as if they were live explosives. A misfired hole may be re-shot by placing a new primer in and re-firing. If necessary, extraction of explosives from boreholes should be left to members of the powder crew who are familiar with these operations Under no circum- stances would you ever drill into a previously fired hole. Unless the jobsite has overnight explosives storage, any explosives not used during the day must be returned to the vendor. If any unused explosives cannot be returned at the end of the day, the F.D.N.Y. Explosives Unit must be notified. Tunnel or subway work Caps and powder should never be transported together on a shaft cage. They should be separated for safety reasons. It is required for loaders to make two separate trips. Proper preparation before loading is necessary. Holes, which were previously blasted, must be thoroughly washed out to remove any left over explosives. Under no circumstances would you ever drill into a previously fired hole. Only a specially approved type of loading light is permitted to be used when loading the tunnel face. Electric lights may detonate electric caps prematurely and are prohibited. After a heading has been loaded, any unused explosives should be returned immediately to the main magazine. The Blaster is the last person to leave the job after the loading is completed and the shot is hooked up. Only the Blaster is permitted to fire the blast. On open cuts, the Blaster may direct an assistant to fire the blast. The blast should be fired only after all preparations have been made and safety precautions taken.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS The user of explosives must be familiar with the different types of fire extinguishers that are present. The user must know how to operate the extinguishers in a safe and efficient manner. He/she must know the difference between the various types of extinguishers and when they should be used. The three classes of fires and the right kind of extinguishers are described below.

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Class A fires occur when ordinary combustible materials are ignited. For example, wood and paper fires are classified as class A fires. Water type extinguishers should be used to extinguish these fires. The water type extinguishers cool the fire while quenching the flame. Class B fires occur when flammable liquids or greases are ignited. These fires must extinguished by smothering the flame. The flame may be smothered using CO2, dry chemical or foam extinguishers. Water type extinguishers are not effective for class B fires. Class C fires occur when electrical equipment catches fire. These fires must be fought with fire extinguishers that do not conduct electricity. CO2 and dry chemical extinguishers must be used to extinguish electrical fires. Foam and water type extinguishers must not be used to extinguish electrical fires. Examples of Water type, CO2 and Dry Chemical extinguishers are shown on the next page.

Typical Fire Extinguishers Symbols may also be painted on the extinguisher. The symbols indicate what kind of fires the extinguishers may be used on. Examples of these symbols are shown below.

Typical Symbols Painted on Fire Extinguishers

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The symbol with the shaded background and the slash indicate that when the extinguisher must not be used. The explosives user must understand these symbols. Generally, operation instructions are clearly painted on the side of the fire extinguisher. They clearly describe how to use the extinguisher in case of an emergency. Examples of these instructions are shown below.

Operation Instructions for a Fire Extinguisher